What are the 30 questions on the MMSE test? The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a widely used screening tool for cognitive impairment, particularly in older adults. It consists of a series of questions designed to evaluate various aspects of cognitive function, including orientation, memory, language, and attention. In this article, we will explore the 30 questions that make up the MMSE test and provide an overview of how they are scored.
The MMSE is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of cognitive function. The first section, orientation, includes questions about the current date, month, and year, as well as the subject’s place of residence. This helps assess the individual’s ability to orient themselves in time and space.
1. What is the date today?
2. What is the month?
3. What is the year?
4. Where do you live?
The next section, memory, consists of three questions. The first asks the subject to recall a list of three words after five minutes, and the second asks them to recall the three words again. The third question requires the subject to recall the name of a familiar person, such as a close friend or family member.
5. Please repeat these three words: apple, table, and car.
6. Can you remember the three words now?
7. Can you tell me the name of a close friend or family member?
The third section, language, includes questions that assess vocabulary and naming abilities. The subject is asked to name as many animals as possible in one minute, and then to name as many vegetables as possible in another minute.
8. Can you name as many animals as you can in one minute?
9. Can you name as many vegetables as you can in one minute?
The fourth section, attention and calculation, involves asking the subject to subtract 7 from 100, repeating the process five times. This helps evaluate the individual’s ability to concentrate and follow instructions.
10. Subtract 7 from 100 and tell me the answer.
11. Subtract 7 from the previous answer and tell me the answer.
12. Continue subtracting 7 from the previous answer and tell me the answer.
The fifth section, visuospatial abilities, includes questions that assess the subject’s ability to copy a drawing or perform a finger-to-nose test. The subject is asked to copy a clock face with the hands at a specific time, and then to close their eyes and touch their nose with their index finger while extending their arms.
13. Please copy this clock face with the hands at 3:00.
14. Close your eyes and touch your nose with your index finger while extending your arms.
The final section, constructive abilities, involves asking the subject to draw a clock face with the hands at a specific time. This helps assess the individual’s ability to copy and understand spatial relationships.
15. Please draw a clock face with the hands at 10:00.
Each question in the MMSE is scored on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating an incorrect response, 1 indicating a partially correct response, and 3 indicating a completely correct response. The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. A score below 24 is often considered indicative of cognitive impairment.
In conclusion, the MMSE is a valuable tool for assessing cognitive function in older adults. Understanding the 30 questions and how they are scored can help healthcare professionals identify potential cognitive impairments and develop appropriate interventions.
